The Saloon at Kingston Lacy with a high coved ceiling, fireplace, carved wood doors, framed paintings and furniture around the room — The Saloon at Kingston Lacy | © National Trust Images / Andreas von Einsiedel

Houses and buildings in Dorset

There are all sorts of houses and buildings to visit in Dorset, from an Italian-inspired mansion and a ruined castle to quiet retreats. Discover new places to explore for a great day out with the family.

Chimneypiece in the Inner Hall, carved with William Bankes's coat of arms quartered with those of Wynne and Brune, at Kingston Lacy

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The house at Kingston Lacy

Find out more about the Bankes family home. Discover art treasures and look at how a large home was used by the family and their visitors who came to stay.

View of the ruins of Corfe Castle, lit in golden autumn sunlight, with a hill in the background

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Corfe Castle

There are 1,000 years of the castle's history as a royal palace and fortress to be discovered here. All ages are captivated by these romantic ruins with breathtaking views across Purbeck.

Hardy's Cottage in autumn in late afternoon sunshine in Dorset.

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Hardy's Cottage

Explore the simple thatched cottage where Thomas Hardy was born and raised, and the surrounding woodland landscape that greatly influenced his work.

Three adults and a baby in a red room in the house at Max Gate

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Max Gate

Designed by Thomas Hardy himself, Max Gate is where he wrote some of his greatest novels and poetry, and where he lived until his death in 1928.

Place

Hardy Monument

Discover a monument to Vice-Admiral Hardy, built in 1844 and standing on an exposed location, above the village of Portesham.

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Things to do at Clouds Hill

Explore inside the cottage where Lawrence of Arabia, TE Lawrence, sat to write, read and relax away from army life, and discover the shed where he tended to his beloved motorbike.

Visitors outside the White Mill at Kingston Lacy, Dorset

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Explore White Mill

In a peaceful corner of Dorset stands White Mill, nestled on the River Stour in the Kingston Lacy estate. Discover more about the last surviving mill on this stretch of the river.